Too Soon? Whitney Houston's Family To Star In Docu-Reality Series For Lifetime

Should a teenage girl grieving over the passing of her mom be the subject of a reality series? Three months after Whitney Houston’s sudden death, her family has signed on to do a reality series. Lifetime has picked up The Houston Family Chronicles, a 10-episode docu-series to premiere later this year. It will follow the lives of Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager, who now manages her estate; Pat’s daughter Rayah; Whitney’s brother Gary; daughter Bobbi Kristina; and mother, Grammy-winning singer Cissy Houston, as they try to pick up the pieces after the pop star’s untimely death. The series will follow Pat and her husband, Gary, as they try to support Whitney’s teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina. In that, Pat enlists the help of her and Whitney’s inner circle, including Grammy-winner Dionne Warwick and gospel legend CeCe Winans. “The tragic loss of Whitney Houston left a void in the hearts of people all over the world, but certainly none more so than her beloved family,” said Lifetime’s EVP Rob Sharenow. “In this series, the multi-generations of the Houston family will bravely reveal their lives as they bond together to heal, love, and grow.”

Pat Houston said that over the past few years she had been developing an unscripted project about her and her family with producers Tracey Baker Simmons and Wanda Shelley. “The unexpected passing of Whitney certainly affects the direction of the show,” she said. “However, it is my hope that others will be enlightened as they watch our family heal and move forward.” Jarrett Creative will produce the series, with Julie Insogna-Jarrett, Seth Jarrett, Tracey Baker Simmons, Wanda Shelley and Pat Houston serving as executive producers.

Whitney Houston’s family and especially Bobbi Kristina, have been a big ratings draw following the singer’s death. Oprah Whinfrey’s exclusive interview with them drew OWN’s largest audience ever.